Here's What the Status Bar and iPad-Style Dock Could Look Like on 'iPhone 8'

[barkomatic]

I'll try it out, but it's hard for me to imagine that gestures can effectively replace the home button. Then again, Apple usually doesn't implement methods that are a step back so hopefully I'll adapt easily.

 

[mattopotamus]

Apple isn't known for taking a step back like this. My guess is that the iPhone 7s will be around for a couple years, but after it gets discontinued, no more home button. Habits and workflows do change.

Just hope Apple's software solution is a suitable replacement.

I agree no more home "button", but something comparable with touchID will be implemented next year.

 

[serialiphoneuser]

Atleast allow 3D-Touch at the bottom to go to the home-screen.

 

[KPOM]

I expect that the pre-orders will sell out quickly.

 

[Applebot1]

Home button is one of the critical elements that make the iPhone. In fact iconic.

 

[imran5720]

That is scary, means home button is really going for forever ?

 

[44267547]

I expect that the pre-orders will sell out quickly.

I expect you're correct. Not only that, but backordered well past the holidays for those who don't preorder.

 

[jonnysods]

I dont understand, how will returning to the home screen work? What finger action will be return to the home screen?

This. It can't be virtual because you'll be playing a game and quit the app, or when you are typing. Of course there is a solution for this, but we are two weeks away still!

 

[techwhiz]

So let me get this right.
Essential cuts out screen for camera and it's strange and quirky. Apple cuts out screen for same reason and even more of it and it's new and innovative.
SMH.....

 

[brian3uk]

I want to reserve judgement but I'm not gonna. Hate the notch. Hate it. My brain will never accept the visual distraction.

 

[GadgetBen]

If you want an idea of what this will be like, iOS 11 Public Beta already has a new menu bar at the bottom of the screen in Messages.

It works well. It gets larger on touch and you can scroll through.

 

[MrX8503]

So let me get this right.
Essential cuts out screen for camera and it's strange and quirky. Apple cuts out screen for same reason and even more of it and it's new and innovative.
SMH.....

I don't think people are saying the notch is innovative. However Apple did stick 3 sensors in there just for 3D scanning....so yeah...that part is innovative. There's also a rumor that the iPhone 8's front facing camera can shoot 4K @ 60FPS

 

[verniesgarden]

i don't know why everyone keeps forcing the clock in their mockup, it's going to go away, and you access it in notification center.

 

[ck2875]

Earlier today, well-connected Apple reporter Mark Gurman said the so-called "iPhone 8" will have a thin software-based bar along the bottom of the home screen, controlled by gestures, in lieu of a physical home button

Random thought: Depending on how good the facial recognition / iris tracking is, couldn't iOS just track the user's eye movement so that the horizontal bar shows up whenever the person glances towards the bottom of the screen?

Edit: Granted that would be telling anyone with sunglasses to go f themselves.

 

[Appleaker]

It’s the implementation that will make or break the no button idea.

 

[satchmo]

Really hoping there is still some sort of "home button" in software. I can't see any kind of usability at all with some hidden idea of "gestures" to get things done. I just can't see my mother (or any older person) being comfortable with an iPhone that doesn't have an obvious "home" button, even if it's a virtual one drawn in the same place on the screen as the hardware one.

My expectation is the virtual home button will automatically appear "on raise", based on the motion and proximity sensors.

Just a thought, but perhaps access to the home screen is a swipe down from the notch area. Given that's the only static and always present area of the screen.

Then again, that area is full sensors, which might make this impossible.

 

[predation]

To be honest, it looks like this is what we are getting. Rumors have been on point the last few years. I personally am going to pass on the 8 for this reason, and bet on the 8S having an actual virtual/under screen home button.

same. i think i'll pass the 8. will go for current 7 at big discounts with the trade deals going on.

 

[Taipan]

So, does everyone still think the notch at the top looks better in black? Most of iOS is white, after all.

 

[MrX8503]

i don't know what everyone keeps forcing the clock in their mockup, it's going to go away, and you access it in notification center.

Bloomberg says it'll be on the left. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[bbeagle]

I dont understand, how will returning to the home screen work? What finger action will be return to the home screen?

Right now, on the iPad, with Multitasking gestures on, if you put four or five fingers on the screen, then pinch them together, you go back to the home screen. So, there IS a gesture there.

It's harder to do on a smaller screen, so I don't know what they'll come up with.

 

[Sevanw]

That notch is distracting and ugly af. Still surprised a company that prides itself on design, passed such a look. Dang.

 

[shyam09]

Interesting. I wonder how FaceID will work with this (at least to unlock the phone). I have two theories:

A) When you pull the phone out of the pocket, the screen turns on (lift to wake), the 3D camera recognizes your face and unlocks it <this sounds unlikely because you would be missing notifications>

B) You pull the phone out of the pocket, the screen turns on, you SWIPE UP, the 3D camera recognizes your face and unlocks it.

 

[alan7467]

As an Android (Nexus, Pixel) and iOS user I tend to not care for the home button on the iPhone. Outside of quickly waking the device or going back to the home screen I find it lacking in comparison to pure Android's soft button navigation. Multitasking in particular is very annoying for me on the iPhone now that the 3D touch gesture is gone in iOS 11 (and I didn't even care for that to begin with). Without question double pressing the home button to bring up the app switcher is much slower and less efficient for me than Android's dedicated soft button.

I for one am all for switching to gestures for navigation. That alone would be enough for me to switch to using my iPhone full time over my Pixel.

 

[eyeseeyou]

No other rectangular shaped screen users use has a notch at the top center.

The ui needs to make sure the top bar is the same color as the bezel to “remove” that notch.

 

[639051]

That notch is distracting and ugly af. Still surprised a company that prides itself on design, passed such a look. Dang.

They can pride themselves all they want really, but what is reality? Apple Music has been ... an interesting design, to say the least. The new control panel looks like something I would have come up with, etc.